22
Feb

Jeremy LawrenceCatalyst IFG started offering single invoice factoring 2010. This kind of finance benefits all kinds of business but especially those with lumpy or unpredictable cash flow. It’s a really useful tool for supporting cash flow – exceptionally quick to arrange and unlike normal factoring or discounting requires no long term commitment.

When we started promoting this funding option it was an almost instant success. The finance community – including banks and other factoring companies – were very supportive. This is something completely different to what they offer and is no threat to their business. Basically we fill a need which has historically been ignored.

In its first year Catalyst IFG factored close on £1m of invoices and provided almost £750k of vital working capital finance. Since the start of 2012, the rate of growth has accelerated sharply.

Awareness of this option is growing and business owners and managers are increasingly scared of the traditional funding options. Apart from the fear that requests for credit will be turned down anyway (computer-says-no syndrome!) the amount of time and bureaucracy needed to reach that conclusion is a real problem. And there are too many horror stories of facilities being withdrawn for no obvious reason and with little or no notice.

At Catalyst we do all our own underwriting so a decision can always be made on the spot. As a result we can complete deals incredibly quickly. I have done two deals already this year which have gone from first phone call to money-in-the-bank in less than 24 hours. It is unusual for a transaction to take more than a week to complete.

Single invoice factoring has been a lifesaver for many of Catalyst IFG’s clients.

One of our clients is a £2m business in the construction sector with a good trading history but no bank facilities. We took this client on last August and since then the business has almost doubled in size. The owner has been able to accept contracts which he would previously have turned down for lack of working capital. When I visited the owner in January he was extremely grateful for our support – “to be honest, Jeremy” he said to me “if it hadn’t been for you, our business would have been toast last year!”

Instead they are looking at a record year in 2012 and improved profitability.

Catalyst IFG has clients in a wide variety of sectors – construction, recruitment, transport, public service, IT to name but a few.

I feel really proud that we have been able to help so many businesses to survive and prosper. At the moment there are very few options out there and the traditional funding sources are routinely letting people down. In many cases, businesses feel abandoned so it is a real privilege to be able to help turn things around.

To discuss how Catalyst IFG might be able to meet your working capital needs please contact me: Jeremy Lawrence on 0845 528 0788.

7
Feb

 

The objective of pipeline analysis is to permit effective sales monitoring and project cash flow and profitability of the business. Once the sales team develop a feel for the analysis then it is possible to establish future sales and hence cash slow with a considerable degree of certainty. A pipeline analysis is a working document which should be revised weekly. Devising a pipeline analysis has three elements:

  • Defining key stages. Key stages are very market dependent and definitions need to carefully judged. Once defined they must be strictly adhered to.
  • Assessing timing. As with key stages this depends upon an in depth knowledge of the target market and individual customers.
  • Preparing a projection. This is a mechanical exercise that can easily be prepared on a spread sheet.

 

Key Stages

A target client moves from 1-10 in the sales process.

Probability
1. General Interest This is an expression of interest resulting from press/ pr, contacts etc. This has a probability of 0% but is defined as a suspect to be followed up by the sales team. The suspects’ details should be captured in a suspect list and included in any on going marketing communications campaigns 0%
2. Establish Need After a meeting or a telephone conversation in which the customer requirements are identified. It is essential at this stage to identify the person in the organisation who has the authority to make the decision to place an order 10%
3. Money Allocated Client has identified funding within his budget or obtained budget approval 20%
4. Request for Quote Target asks for a quote 30%
5. Competitive Bid Judge according to knowledge of competitors but normally give probability according to number of serious tenders according to number of serious tenders
6. Non Competitive Bid 50%
7. Entered negotiation 60%
8. Offer accepted 70%
9. Contract Accepted 90%
10. Contract signed 100%

Assessing Timing

The average sales cycle for service products is on average 6 months from initial contact. This might be as long as 12 months for larger more expensive projects. Once a target enters the sales cycle each stage must be carefully monitored and timings to completion estimated.

Preparing a Projection

A typical spreadsheet is set out below. As noted above these are working documents and should the bible to the sales team and the basis of all reports to the board.

Sales and Pipeline Analysis

Notes Target Client Value Stage/ 

Probability

Jan Feb Mar Apr
1 Big Co 150,000 10/100% 150,000
2 American Co 100,000 3/30% 33,000
3 Small Co 25,000 7/70% 17,500
4 Medium Co 50,000 2/10% 5,000
5 Total 150,000 17,500 33,800

Notes

  1. Big Co might require significant additional services later in the year. JT is meeting with AH to discuss next month after installation.
  2. JT has good relationship with MD.
  3. etc

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Richard J Turner

Catalyst Venture Partners